Debswana, a Botswanan mining company, which is the world’s leading diamond producer by value, controls all diamond mining activities in the country. Operating the country’s four diamond mines, whose production represents a quarter of the world’s total production, Debswana is currently jointly owned by Botswana’s government and the South African mining company De Beers.

Since its inception in 1969, Debswana has had a major impact on the country’s economy, fuelling its growth and allowing it to transform from one of the poorest countries in Africa to a middle income nation. The legal function at Debswana was set up by Ludo Tema, an internationally educated lawyer with vast experience in the in-house profession. As member of the Debswana’s senior leadership team, Tema has a profound influence on her employer’s commercial affairs, by reviewing business operations and strategy.

Tema’s team is responsible for providing day-to-day operational legal support to the company’s four mines and oversees the company’s legal risk and all ongoing projects. In addition, the department provides advice on compliance and legislative issues and has received praise for its work in labour law, legal risk management and providing training on compliance and regulatory affairs.